BY JANICE LEWINE
Winter is the perfect time to dive into a great book. Locally owned bookstores offer extensive knowledge to help your child find that perfect read, whether it’s a novel, picture book, memoir or book series. Many stores also host storytimes, book clubs and author readings to connect with the community and inspire a lifelong love of reading. Here are 10 independent booksellers in the Triangle where your family can discover new reading adventures.
Quail Ridge Books
4209-100 Lassiter Mill Road, Raleigh
919.828.1588
One of Raleigh’s oldest independent booksellers, Quail Ridge Books features new and popular titles as well as readings with contemporary authors. Its children’s department received the Pannell Award from the Women’s National Book Association, which recognizes the work of booksellers who stimulate, promote and encourage young people’s interest in books. Under the Tree Storytime, which highlights new picture books and beloved classics for young booklovers, takes place Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings from 10:30–11 a.m. Quail Ridge Books also offers the Freakin’ Awesome Book Club for young adults with developmental disabilities Sundays at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom, as well as an online store.
The Regulator Bookshop
720 Ninth Street, Durham
919.286.2700
Since 1976, this independent bookseller has sold new books in a range of genres for young adults and beginning and middle readers. It also offers board and picture books for infants, as well as an online store. Take advantage of The Regulator Bookshop’s monthly children’s subscription program featuring age-appropriate new titles.
Flyleaf Books
752 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard,
Chapel Hill
919.942.7373
Flyleaf Books stocks a large selection of new and used adult and children’s titles, in-store and online. It also hosts storytime Saturdays at 11 a.m. and weekly author events. Flyleaf Books even offers author visits for local schools, and coordinates orders of signed copies of the author’s books to be delivered to the school the day of the scheduled appearance.
McIntyre’s Books
220 Market Street, Pittsboro
919.542.3030
fearrington.com/mcintyres-books
Nestled in Pittsboro’s picturesque Fearrington Village, McIntyre’s Books has delighted readers of all ages since 1989 with new book releases in a variety of genres. Started by Keebe Fitch, the daughter of Fearrington’s creators R.B. and Jenny Fitch, McIntyre’s Books also offers book-related gifts, puzzles, games and more. Items can be purchased in-store and online.
Liberation Station Bookstore
208 Fayetteville Street, Suite 201, Raleigh
919.867.6604
liberationstationbookstore.com
Inspired by local author Victoria
Scott-Miller’s family’s struggle to find children’s books by Black authors and illustrators that feature characters of color, Liberation Station Bookstore opened its brick-and-mortar location last summer in downtown Raleigh after spending the last three years as a pop-up shop. The 364-square-foot space carries more than 1,000 titles divided into four curated sections, including The Anchor, which features pairings of adult titles with children’s books to foster and encourage intergenerational conversations.
Mr. Mike’s Used Books
6440 Tryon Road, Cary
919.809.8990
Mr. Mike’s boasts a wide selection of high-quality used books, including a large children’s book section which spans the gamut from infant board books to teen fiction. Nearly all of its selections are priced at half of the original publisher’s price or less.
Golden Fig Books
200 N. Greensboro Street, Carrboro
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham
919.908.8368
Started in 2019 by UNC–Chapel Hill alumnus David Bradley, Golden Fig Books’ inventory in its Carrboro and Durham stores primarily consists of gently used and children’s books, as well as a selection of new titles. Browse books in-store or online.
Letters Bookshop
116 W. Main Street, Durham
919.973.2573
This independent store offers gently used books, carefully selected new paperbacks and hardcovers, and a children’s section stocked with new and used books. Operated by Land Arnold,
a veteran Triangle bookseller, Letters Bookshop relocated to a larger space in the heart of downtown Durham in 2021. Books are also available online.
Page 158 Books
415 S. Brooks Street, Wake Forest
919.435.1843
This independent bookseller in downtown Wake Forest recently expanded its square footage to offer an even wider variety of new titles for infants through young adults, which can also be purchased online. It hosts storytimes, author readings, a kids book club that meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 4 p.m., and a variety of book clubs for adults. Its nonprofit, New Kids on the Books, provides reading materials to children in need throughout Wake Forest and the surrounding communities.
Wentworth & Leggett Books
905 W. Main Street, #20D, Durham
919.688.5311
Located in Durham’s Brightleaf Square, Wentworth & Leggett offers new and used items priced to attract students and casual readers, as well as the discriminating collector. Its cozy and inviting store features numerous board books, picture books, chapter books and older book series, such as The Bobbsey Twins and Nancy Drew Mystery Stories.
